The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-12-02
CHIEF GERONIMO.
HIS Mode OF Life NJ Fort Pick ems
Handsome Natchez.

A Pensacola, Fla, letter TO me Phtf-
adeiphia Times says: At the door OF
the first room were two Indian women
seated on the floor playing cards. Our
civilization has taught them this. They
ceased their game as We came up and
smiled at the party. The soldier wish
us could not interpret, so our CONVERSE
sion was limited to few signs.
Next we met woman with baby
swinging on her back. She stopped to
let us examine the little fellow. They
have a most remarkable instrument
Of torture" as we dubbed 1t, for carry
ing the ''papooses' until they can
walk. 1t is of wood, shaped something
ike coffin, with the sides very much
lower, though. In that the child is
placed and strapped from its neck down
10 its heels, its hands straight down by
It's sides, so that the little one can move
its head only. This arrangement has a
band of leather which the mother
passes around her forehead. When
busy at anything she stands it up
against the wall or post! Of all the
babies we saw there we did not hear
one whimper. The women are very
friendly, and seemed pleased at the at
tention paid them and their children by
visitors, laughing n great deal and
showing invariably fine rows of teeth.
We saw great quantities of beadwork,
baskets, ETC., which they are busy pre-
pairing to sell winter tourists. but we
did not purchase, as Indian work is so
much better done by Americans now.
We soon reached Geronimo's quar-
ters. He sat on chair near his door,
and one of his squaws was on the
ground near him. while baby just
walking played about his feet. Within
the room on the bed were seated little
boy and girl jabbering away for all
they were worth. who quite scorned all
our efforts to attract them to us. Ger
onimo was more suave than any Indian
man have ever seen. He smiled and
shook hands, and his manner was al
most aflable. l was much amused to
see the murderous old fellow play with
his child. One of his squaws died last
week, but he didn't mourn very long.
We had been told that Natchez was
more naughty than all the others, but
| think we caught him on his red-letter
day. he was so polite. He is the finest
looking of any of the chiefs, and his
face is more honest. Geronimo has a
blander smile, but would never inspire
Natchez' hands and feet
are small. He stood up for us to look
at him. He is long and 1.-the of limb.
and looks as if his strength were quick
and nervous rather than of the endur-
ng kind. His hatred of Geronimo does
not seem to abate. In fact, the old
diplomatic, as he is called here, is in
bad odor with the other chiefs. They
hold him accountable for their sur
'ender, and have never forgiven him.
They are very chary about associating
with him.
A great pity came over me rs we
,urned to 60. thought of their free
ife in the great far-reaching country
If the west, their hatred of the pale
aces of the east. Here they were, shut
within four narrow walls, subject to
heir despised conquerors and their
equally hated modes of life. wonder
I'd they did not rise in their wrath and
slaughter the handful of men who have
hem in charge. But life seems sweet
% all human beings, and We soon learn
prudence If the penalty of recklessncss
De death.
The storms of few weeks since ter
fled them. The big water" inspires
hem with an awe and dread that moth
ng else does, and IL was an infinite re-
ief to them when the heavens cleared
md the waters were again calm. The
of the surf, which sounded
ike the play Of artillery far in the city,
illed them with unspoakable terror.
What will become of themp viii their
ives be spent in PRISON. II is knotty
question and one which the government
las not yet solved. They are not quite
he heroes of Cooper. and their love of
Iirt and treachery are repulsive; but |
hey are men. and men of so different |
firth and rearing we cannot force them